Demand grows for fast-casual catering

While cash-strapped consumers cut back on restaurant spending during the recession, the catering business saw an uptick, and now almost one-third of diners turn to fast-casual chains when hiring a caterer. "Even when consumers were watching pennies, they're still very time-pressed," said Melissa Wilson, principal at Technomic. Fast-casual chains are expected to show the strongest growth in the industry over the next three years.